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Residents of District E,
The beginning of summer has been busy here at City Hall. City Council passed the $4.9 billion Fiscal Year 2019 Operating Budget this week. This budget includes five Houston Police Cadet Classes and three Houston Firefighter Cadet classes, as well as fully funds the City's pension obligations, for the first time in years.
I believe that Mayor Turner is on the right track, as this budget saw department expenditures decrease for the third year in a row and identified strategies within departments to assist with creating further reductions in the future. Last year the City of Houston received a ten-year plan from PFM Consulting that challenges the City to take larger strides towards securing the City's financial health. I look forward to seeing how the City will implement those recommendations over the next several years and believe that by working together, we will continue to move closer to a truly balanced budget while improving Public Safety and maintaining City Services.
Moving forward, I will continue to work hard alongside my colleagues to make fiscally conservative decisions regarding the city's finances and fight for District E residents. If you missed this Wednesday's budget discussion you can watch online here.
Today, June 1, marks the beginning of hurricane season and there are several resources available to help prepare you and your families for inclement weather included within this newsletter. Over the last several months there have been many meetings held regarding dredging, desiltation, and projects started in relation to assisting with reducing flooding within District E.
Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) has been a huge resource to District E through assessing the channels within our areas of Lake Houston, Clear Lake, and southeast Houston. Due to the extensive damage in the Kingwood Area HCFCD has created interactive maps to show progress here.
Additionally, the Army Corps of Engineers as well as the State of Texas has made huge strides in the Emergency Dredging project located on the San Jacinto River and its entrance to Lake Houston. Some of you may be aware that the bids for that project were extended to June 12. Do not let this extension discourage you as it was necessary to make sure that the project is completed correctly and by the most qualified to handle the work. As a result, dredging is now expected to begin in July. The District E Office will have more information to share after the bids for this project close and an official start date can be identified.
The City of Houston has sent fifteen Notices of Intent to the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM), and of those, thirteen were approved for application. It is the goal to have all applications submitted for those 15 projects submitted by August of this year. District E projects included in this process are dredging from US 59 to Lake Houston, the need for a 10-gate structure on the Lake Houston Spillway Dam, and city-wide buyouts. To see a list of those projects visit this link.
The District E office heard from the Texas Commission on Environment Quality (TCEQ) that the seasonal lowering partnership between the San Jacinto River Authority and City of Houston will not impact water rights, which had previously been a concern. As part of this partnership the City of Houston plans to only lower the level of Lake Houston during times of inclement weather.
The recovery process has been steadily moving forward at a pace that while slow has been consistent. I am committed to following through on projects from Kingwood to Clear Lake that will reduce future flooding for residents. I will continue to work day and night to make sure that we are not forgotten and our concerns are heard. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve as your District Council Member.
Sincerely,
Dave Martin
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The District E Office
900 Bagby, First Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Contact Information
Phone: (832) 393-3008
Fax: (832) 393-3279
District E Team
Jessica Beemer
Chief of Staff & North
Katherine Cunningham
Deputy Chief of Staff
Jordan McGinty
South Sector Manager
William Janowski
City of Houston Contacts
City of Houston 3-1-1
(713) 837-0311
Mayor's Citizens
Assistance Office
(832) 393-0955
Harris County Flood Control District Kingwood Resources
Kingwood Community Center
(281) 348-2570
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District E Office Welcomes William Janowski
The District E Office is happy to welcome our newest employee, William Janowski, who will be serving as the North Sector Manager for District E.
William graduated from the University of Houston in 2016 with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science with a minor in Law, Value and Policy. Currently, he is a graduate student at Rice University studying Global Affairs (MGA-18) as well as a graduate student at the University of Houston studying Public Policy (MPP-19).
While at the University of Houston, William obtained government internships through the Hobby School for Public Affairs' Civic Houston Internship Program (CHIP) working for the Texas House, the Hobby Fellowship during the 84th Texas Legislative Session, the Leland Fellowship working for Congress in D.C., a political think tank during the 85th Legislative Session, and legislative research for Rice University.
A veteran, William served four years in Active Duty Army where he was stationed overseas in South Korea and Ft. Hood TX. While in school he finished his last two years of inactive duty in the National Guard.
A native of the Houston area, William's family has lived in Kingwood for over a decade. He is motivated to apply his political/work experience as the North Sector Manager for Houston City Council Member Martin.
Welcome Will!
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2018 Extreme Weather Ready Expo
As hurricane season is underway June 1, the public is invited to the 2018 Extreme Weather Ready Expo.
This important, family-friendly preparedness event is scheduled to take place at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Hall E on Saturday, June 2nd from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The City of Houston and its regional partners are pleased to welcome Shell Oil Company as the title sponsor of the 2018 Extreme Weather Ready Expo.
The Extreme Weather Ready Expo is the largest severe weather preparedness expo in the nation and brings together community organizations, government agencies, and community partners to provide people in the greater Houston area with important information on preparing for severe weather and other disasters. For over 25 years, the Expo (formerly known as the Hurricane Workshop) has gained national recognition for its work to prepare the community.
Opening remarks will be provided by Mayor Sylvester Turner, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, and Frazier Wilson, Vice President, Shell Oil Company Foundation and Director, Workforce Development & Diversity Outreach. Kenneth Graham, Director of the National Hurricane Center in Florida, will offer information on the upcoming hurricane season.
Throughout the day there will be information sessions, demonstrations, activities for kids, and subject matter experts from Emergency Management, the Harris County Flood Control District, FEMA, local Health Departments and others. Television news meteorologists from local stations will be on site to answer questions about how to better prepare for hurricane season. New this year will be the Houston Museum of Natural Science Discovery Dome and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles for immunizations and dental screenings. Parents will need to bring their child's immunization records for them to receive free vaccines and dental screenings.
In addition to the published parking lots around the GRB, the Tundra Garage (connected to the Toyota Center) at 1506 Jackson will be available for event parking for $5.00.
Shell joins the other members of the planning collaboration including the National Weather Service, Greater Houston Local Emergency Planning Committee, CenterPoint Energy, Offices of Emergency Management for City of Houston, Harris County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County and Galveston County, Harris County Flood Control District, American Red Cross, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Mayor's Office of People with Disabilities.
For more information on the Extreme Weather Ready Expo, visit
www.weatherreadyexpo.com. or contact Jackie Miller, 832-393-0922 or 713-859-4232.
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Council Member Martin Recognizes Dr. Ted Landry
Earlier this month Council Member Martin had the honor of Surprising Humble ISD principal, Dr. Ted Landry during a staff meeting at Kingwood High School and present
him with a proclamation from the City of Houston recognizing him for his outstanding efforts assisting the students, faculty, and staff throughout the recovery process post-Harvey. His tremendous leadership can be seen not just on the Kingwood High School Campus but throughout the community.
Thank you, Dr. Landry for all you have done and continue to do for those all around you.
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Harris County Announces Details of Upcoming Flood Bond Issue and Series of Community Meetings
Harris County has begun scheduling a series of 23 community engagement meetings next month to solicit public input on an expected $2.5 billion bond issue that would help reduce much of the catastrophic flooding that has struck the area in recent years.
Officials with the Harris County Flood Control District are scheduling public meetings in each of the county's 23 watersheds to describe some of the projects the county is proposing and to solicit residents' input on which projects should be included. Flood Control officials also have created an interactive website detailing the status of more than 150 proposed and current projects throughout the county.
Emmett joined Flood Control District Executive Director Russ Poppe in announcing the initiatives during a Wednesday afternoon news conference at TranStar. Poppe laid out opportunities for a series of channel improvements and repairs, floodplain buyouts, and creation of greenspace and detention basins throughout the entire county. Some of these projects have been in the works for several years, but have been stalled by a lack of money.
The initial list of potential projects and details about the upcoming community engagement meetings can be found
here as they become available. The meetings will conclude Aug. 1, allowing time for county officials to finalize the bond package for voters.
Of the five watersheds within District E, three community meetings have been scheduled.
- Sims Bayou Watershed: Tuesday, June 5, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center, 3810 West Fuqua Street, Houston, Texas, 77045.
- Armand Bayou Watershed: Thursday, June 7, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Bay Area Community Center, 5002 East Nasa Parkway, Seabrook, Texas, 77586.
- San Jacinto River Watershed: Thursday, June 14, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Kingwood Community Center, 4102 Rustic Woods, Kingwood, Texas, 77345.
- Clear Creek Watershed: TBD
- Greens Bayou Watershed: TBD
Residents of the Clear Creek and Greens Bayou Watershed, please continue to check HCFCD's website for updates on scheduled meetings within your watershed. If you are unsure which watershed you reside in, please visit the interactive map. The meetings will conclude August 1, allowing time for county officials to finalize the bond package for voters.
Harris County Commissioners Court is expected to vote June 12 to place a $2.5 billion flood bond issue on the Aug. 25 ballot. If approved, issuance of the bonds would be spread over 15 years, and the expected Flood Control tax increase for most homeowners would be limited to 1.4 percent or less.
For more information, please contact Harris County Flood Control District Bond Program Hotline at 713-684-4107.
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Humble ISD Honored
Earlier this month Humble ISD won the HEB Excellence in Education Outstanding School Board of the Year award. Council Member Martin congratulates the School Board on this esteemed award, and thanks them for their continued outstanding service to our community!
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Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce State of the County Luncheon
On Tuesday, May 29 Council Member Martin and District E staff attended the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce State of the County Luncheon sponsored by Generation Park. The docket included a dialog followed by a Q&A from Harris County Judge Ed Emmett related to Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts and information concerning the upcoming Flood Bond vote. With the upcoming Hurricane season starting soon, Hurricane preparedness and materials were supplied in order to stay knowledgeable of evacuation zones and helpful websites were provided to stay notified during an emergency. To stay ready for hurricane season, please visit
www.readyharris.org for up-to-date emergency information.
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Citizens for Space Exploration Legislative Trip
For the past few years, Council Member Martin has made an annual trip to Washington, D.C. with Citizens for Space Exploration (CSE). This was CSE's 27
th
year to travel to DC as a multi-state organization comprised of community leaders, space industry representatives, college students and other citizens from across the country who support America's continued investment in human space exploration. Council Member Martin returned to our nation's capital on May 14 for this year's trip, which was led by staff from the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP).
On the trip, Council Member Martin had the opportunity to visit a number of congressional offices to discuss the importance of NASA and space exploration to the greater Houston region as well as to the country and the world. This year's CSE delegation featured students from over 30 states and accomplished over 400 congressional office visits, more than any of the group's previous 26 annual trips. Council Member Martin thanks the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership for organizing another successful and informative trip.
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Courtyard by Marriott Hotels Breaks Ground at Generation Park
McCord Development announced the ground breaking of the urban concept Courtyard by Marriott hotel within Generation Park's lifestyle and entertainment center, Redemption Square. The hotel, developed by Hotel Development Services, is slated for completion in 2019 and will be the first hotel located in Redemption Square.
The five-story, 144-room hotel will feature over 2,000 square feet of meeting space, a business center, 24-hour market, large fitness center, outdoor pool, casual workspaces and a bistro featuring grab-and-go food options and Starbucks® Coffee. The property will also include expertly-appointed guest rooms including 24 rooms with balconies overlooking the plaza. With ground floor entry to the hotel's bistro, fitness center and meeting spaces, the Courtyard by Marriott will be integrated into the pedestrian promenade of Redemption Square.
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Latest on the Texas GLO Harvey Recovery Efforts
Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced the State Action Plan has been sent to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for final approval. The plan details the distribution and eligible uses of $2.7 billion in Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) to assist Texas communities with long-term recovery following Hurricane Harvey. Future amendments to the action plan will outline the eligible uses of $2.3 billion by the City of Houston and Harris County.
The most commonly received public comments on the action plan related to the HUD requirement that 70% of the funds be used to benefit low- to moderate-Income individuals, specifically in communities in which that requirement may be less feasible. Additional comments included other HUD-directed decisions such as state-administered housing programs rather than local and direct allocations to the City of Houston and Harris County. All comments received have been responded to as part of the action plan posted here.
The action plan provides for the distribution of recovery funds based on guidelines outlined by HUD in its post in the Federal Register. Given standard CDBG requirements, each activity must be a CDBG-DR-eligible activity, meet a HUD national objective and address a Hurricane Harvey impact to a county listed in a Presidential Disaster Declaration. In accordance with its guidelines, HUD has 45 days from receipt to approve the plan. The GLO has worked diligently with local officials, other state leaders, the Texas Congressional Delegation and HUD officials to communicate throughout the process on the status of the plan to expedite the process when possible.
To distribute buyout, acquisition and infrastructure funds, the GLO has partnered with the Texas Association of Regional Councils and the nine impacted Councils of Governments (COG) to develop methods of distribution (MODs) for these programs. To date, the GLO has met with each COG to provide training on this development process, and each MOD is due 60 days from today, as outlined in the action plan.
Additionally, the GLO has already begun qualifying and procuring services to assist in the administration of this allocation. Once the action plan is approved by HUD, the GLO will be poised to begin administering an array of recovery programs across the 49 counties impacted by Hurricane Harvey.
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Lake Houston Disaster Insurance Workshop
The Lake Houston Economic Development Partnership is sponsoring a Disaster Insurance Workshop on June 8.
With the start of hurricane season upon us, it's important that the Lake Houston area is well prepared for the upcoming hurricane season. Close to 80% of the area's businesses and homeowners did not have flood insurance. This workshop will be led by The Merlin Law Group. They are a national law firm with a Houston presence specializing in representing policyholders with a multitude of insurance related issues. This workshop is dedicated to giving you the answers you need to not only make sure you are properly covered in the event of a natural disaster, but to educate you on the maze of insurance rules, guidelines and regulations you'll face in the aftermath of an event.
For more information about this workshop and to register, click
here.
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Houston Housing Community and Development Community Engagement Meeting Scheduled in the South Belt-Ellington Area
Council Member Dave Martin, in partnership with the City of Houston Housing Community and Development Department (HCDD), will be hosting a community meeting on Tuesday, June 19, at 6:30 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall at St. Stephen Presbyterian Church, 2217 Theta Street, 77034. The purpose of this meeting is to inform residents about long-term housing recovery and to create opportunities for residents to give their input on priorities for rebuilding Houston after Hurricane Harvey.
The $1 billion in federal disaster recovery funding for Houston is a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), through the State of Texas General Land Office (GLO). It is primarily intended to benefit low-and moderate-income persons to increase housing affordability and aid in the recovery post-disaster. These funds will be expended over the next six years, until 2024.
Later this summer, HUD will publish guidance about additional funding for activities to help prepare the City of Houston and the State of Texas against the effects of future storms. More than $5 billion is available to the State of Texas for mitigation activities.
A Spanish translator will be present during the public meeting. Si necesita una traducción en español de esta publicación por favor contacte al Departamento de Desarrollo Comunitario al (713) 475-7294.
Houstonians are invited to fill out an online survey about their disaster recovery experience, needs, and priorities through the Houston Harvey Recovery Survey. For more information regarding this process, please call HCDD at (832) 394-6200 or email [email protected] with the subject: "Harvey Action Plan comment."
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Dr. Ochoa Retirement Proclamation
On May 15, Mayor Turner presented a proclamation to Dr. Ellen Ochoa recognizing her retirement as Director of NASA's Johnson Space Center. Thank you Dr. Ochoa for your tireless commitment and contributions to NASA, JSC, the City of Houston, and to District E. We will miss you!
Dr. Ochoa is the 11th director of NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas. She is JSC's first Hispanic director, and its second female director. Dr. Ochoa became the first Hispanic woman to go to space when she served on a nine-day mission aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1993. She has flown in space four times, logging nearly 1,000 hours.
The District E Office looks forward to working with JSC's new Director Mark Geyer! Director Geyer assumed the Director position on May 25, 2018.
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CCISD Teacher of the Year Luncheon
On May 21, staff from Council Member Martin's office attended the Annual Clear Creek ISD Rotary Teacher of the Year Award Ceremony and Luncheon. CCISD and the Rotary Clubs of League City, Seabrook, and Space Center recognized 44 teachers selected to represented their CCISD campus.
A special congratulations to Ms. Crystal Starke from Mossman Elementary and Ms. Anita Lewis from Westbrook Intermediate, who were selected as Elementary and Secondary Teacher of the Year! We wish them good luck as they move onto the regional selection process for Texas Teacher of the Year.
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El Dorado Panel Replacement
Houston Public Works (HPW) is scheduled to begin panel replacements along El Dorado Boulevard on Monday, June 4, 2018. The scope of work includes the removal and replacement of identified deteriorated pavement sections of the existing roadway along El Dorado Boulevard, from El Camino Real to Torry Pines Road. Construction is anticipated to be completed by late August 2018, weather permitting.
Although construction activities behind closed areas may occur from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., construction equipment movement in the driving lanes will be limited between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. One lane will be closed at all times. HPW crews will begin work at El Camino Real and continue Torry Pines Road.
During the project, drivers should expect reduced speed through the channelized areas. To ensure driver and worker safety, traffic control measures will be in place at all times. The District E office has also contacted the Houston Police Department's Clear Lake Substation to ask that officers monitor the location and provide assistance with traffic control as needed.
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Kingwood Drive Panel Replacements
Council Member Dave Martin would like to make the community aware of multiple repairs being made on Kingwood Drive, beginning Monday, June 4, 2018. The scope of work includes the removal and replacement of identified deteriorated pavement sections of existing roadway along Kingwood Drive. The goal of this effort is to preserve as well as to prolong the life of the road base while providing a smoother riding surface.
On Monday, June 4, crews will begin panel replacements in the eastbound lanes of Kingwood Drive between The Lodge at Kingwood Apartments (938 Kingwood Drive) and Green Oak. The concrete panel replacements will be performed in the eastbound gutter and center lanes. Additionally, there will be a single panel replacement in the westbound lane of the Kingwood Drive and Green Oak Drive intersection. Construction is anticipated to be complete at these locations, by Monday, June 18, weather permitting.
On Monday, June 18, crews will begin another panel replacement on Kingwood Drive in the eastbound gutter and center lanes, near Chase Bank (2611 West Lake Houston Parkway) located just to the west of the intersection at Kingwood Drive and West Lake Houston Parkway. Construction is anticipated to be complete by Saturday, June 30, weather permitting. See map below for approximate locations.
There will be one lane open at all times during the time of construction to maintain the flow of traffic. Construction equipment movement in the driving lanes will be limited between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. During the project, drivers should expect reduced speed through the channelized area. To ensure driver and worker safety, traffic control measures will be in place at all times. The District E office has also contacted the Houston Police Department's Kingwood Substation to ask that officers monitor the location and provide assistance with traffic control as needed.
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Public Input Sought for the Development of the State's Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs ("TDHCA"), General Land Office ("GLO"), Department of State Health Services ("DSHS"), and the Texas Department of Agriculture ("TDA") are requesting public input for the development of the state's draft Analysis of Impediments ("AI") to Fair Housing Choice.
Public consultation meetings will be held in June and July 2018 throughout the state to gather input on the needs of Texans and goals for use of future federal program funds.
Feedback regarding fair housing issues, particularly issues affecting protected classes under the Fair Housing Act: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status; and the ability of those persons to exercise housing choice is welcome.
Details regarding the development of the draft AI is available
here.
To view AI events, please visit TDHCA's online
Calendar and select "Fair Housing Listings".
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Upcoming Events
Please refer to Council Martin's District E
website for location, time and more event details. Email the District E office if you would like us to include your upcoming event in future newsletters!
City Wides
June 2
Extreme Weather Ready Expo
Kingwood
June 2
Kingwood Electronic Waste Recycling
June 7
Summer Creek BizCom
June 8
Lake Houston Area Chamber State of the Lake Houston Area Luncheon
June 13
Kingwood Service Assocation's Public Safety Committee
June 19
Kingwood PIP
*Kingwood Super Neighborhood Meetings are in recess until August 15
Southeast Houston/Clear Lake
June 9
Clear Lake Electronic Waste Recycling
June 19
Clear Lake PIP
June 19
South Belt-Ellington Area Community Engagement Meeting
June 27
Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce General Membership Luncheon
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